Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Jameson
I had been on cloud nine since my talk with Arizona the other night, where the truth of our past came to light. Knowing I put everything on the line and not only had my feelings acknowledged but also returned, invigorated every cell of my being, that not even my restless spirit could dampen my mood. When I wasn’t on shift at the firehouse, I usually hit the gym to fill the gaps; however, since the fire at Arizona’s dad’s place, I’d been busy figuring out how to approach Dustin and offer my help with the rebuild.
“Jameson, what a surprise,” Dustin greeted me after opening his front door.
“Mr. Rhodes.”
“Nonsense, son. How long have I told you to call me Dustin?”
I snickered. “A long time.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you mind if I come in?”
“Of course not; you know you’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you.” I stepped across the threshold.
“I wanted to stop by sooner—” I stumbled over my words.
“You mean you didn’t just swing by to deliver your mom’s famous cabbage rolls?”
“Hmph,” I exhaled, releasing a rough burst of air. “No, I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Good, for the most part; some days, my energy dips. I suppose that’s also one of the joys of getting older.”
“There’s nothing old about you, sir; you still have a lot of vitality left.”
“If that were true, you wouldn’t have had to carry my old ass out of the fire.”
“You know?” I barely had a memory of that night myself, so I questioned how he knew.
“You think I wouldn’t talk to your father and find out? What you did was not only stupid and incredibly dangerous, you defied protocol and risked your life to save mine. I want to reprimand you, and yet I can’t because I’m forever in your debt and grateful for your selfless actions.” He placed a hand on my shoulder.
“When we arrived on the scene, I . . . honestly, it’s hazy when I try to think back. I’ve talked with the guys and my dad, and they all say I just reacted. I had tunnel vision; I knew you’d be inside the greenhouse if you weren’t outside fighting the fire. The idea of Arizona losing you too—” My mouth went suddenly dry like cotton balls had lodged themselves squarely in my throat.
Dustin pulled me in for a hug. “I know . . . I know.” He squeezed me tighter before taking a seat on the couch. “Just the thought of that alone has brought me to my knees more times than I care to admit.”
“Arizona’s got more fight in her pinky finger than most people have in their entire body.”
“Try raising her.” He chuckled.
“You did an exceptional job.”
“They say it often takes a village, but I’ve always been protective of my girl, and I still am. Knowing that you and your family would be there to support her gives me peace of mind and helps me sleep at night.”
“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.”
“I’m not the one you have to convince.” He turned briefly and looked out the window toward the rolling hills of picturesque greenery behind his property. “You know, I was once naive and reckless. Yet, there comes a time when we realize our actions were merely an attempt to fill a void. They didn’t make us happy or fulfill us like they once had. While I’ve certainly heard some whispers around town about you over the years, I see beyond all that. There’s no denying what I can see and hear with my own eyes and ears. I know you have feelings for my daughter and have for a long time. Don’t think I didn’t know you used to sneak into the greenhouse, plucking various flowers to leave on our front porch with little Post-it notes for Ari after her mom passed.”
My head nodded as I processed his words, realizing I hadn’t been as discreet as I thought, especially since he had picked up on it somewhere along the way.
“Now, it’s not my place to play matchmaker or anything, but I will say one thing. You’re a good man, Jameson Fisher, and if you happen to become more to my daughter one day, there isn’t any other person I’d trust to look after her more than you.”
“Thank you, Mr.—Dustin, that means a lot to me.”
“With that out of the way, I sense another reason for your visit?”
“Can’t a guy just stop by to check in on you?”
“Jameson, you’re forgetting I’ve known you a long time.”
He wasn’t wrong, and I replied with a smile. “I was hoping we could talk about your plans for the greenhouse. I realize it’s still early, and there’s an insurance process to navigate; I’d like to be involved if possible.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Let me preface by saying that I don’t want to overstep here, so if I’m off base, please just tell me.”
“You could never overstep.”
“Thank you. Keeping that in mind, I know how special the greenhouse was to your family, and I’d love to assist in its restoration.”
“You’re a good man, Jameson, and I might just take you up on your offer.”
“Sit tight,” I asked of Ari before I closed my door and jogged around to the passenger side of my truck to open hers.
“When you asked me out on a date, I had no idea I would be getting the full princess treatment.” She gathered the lower half of her long navy maxi dress in her hand before I offered her my hand to help her step down.
“You expected less of me?”
The denim material of her jean jacket bunched on her shoulders as she draped her arms over mine. “No, it’s just we’ve known each other a long time and?—”
“All the better reason to show you another side of me that exists. I didn’t want to take you out for dinner where every set of eyes in town would be on us. I wanted to do something I haven’t done before, and that’s take the girl I like on a picnic.”
“It’s so beautiful here.” She stepped out of my hold and walked closer to the lake, admiring the scenery while I focused on the one beauty that truly captivated me—her.
“Boden owns property not far from here. It’s where he and Lakelyn plan to build a home.”
“Yes, he mentioned something about that on game night.” Her eyes swept the property and beamed. “I can certainly understand why living out here would be so appealing; it’s incredibly peaceful. While I’m no stranger to that sense of serenity, I’ve always found solace in the vast fields and trees stretching as far as the eyes can see at my dad’s place. Despite having lived here nearly my entire life, I’ve never truly explored these hidden gems. You must think that’s weird?”
“No, not at all; your parent’s property is incredible.”
“It was . . . now it’s?—”
“The greenhouse will be rebuilt, Ari.”
“I know that’s my dad’s plan down the road, but some things are irreplaceable, you know?” She gazed across the water, watching as the sun shimmered on its surface. “My mom had this workbench with our hand-carved initials in it. I know it’s silly in the grand scheme of things, but it was covered with nicks and scratches from all our projects—each one told a story, and now it’s gone. But what really scares me is the thought of not feeling her presence anymore. It was the one place I felt closest to her.”
“I think it’s perfectly natural to feel that way. Feelings are complicated, and they don’t always make sense. I know it must feel overwhelming, just remember, your mom is always with you in spirit. She’s in your memories, and more importantly, she will always have a special place in your heart that is dedicated just for her.”
“When did you get so wise?” She smirked just before I gently captured her chin between my thumb and forefinger.
I watched with rapt interest as her tongue swept across her bottom lip, drawing me in closer. “Stick with me, and you’ll find out.”
“I plan to,” she murmured, gently grazing her lips softly across mine before the passion that was so uniquely ours, effortless and intense, enveloped us.
Given our history, one would have expected awkwardness, but kissing her felt like the most natural thing in the world. “Kissing you feels like home.” I breathed, my heart racing nearly out of my chest.
“Jameson.” She moaned.
I pulled back and cupped her cheeks, her hazel eyes bright with faith and contentment.
“God, the taste of your lips.” I leaned my forehead against hers, willing myself to slow the pace down. “Please, don’t take this the wrong way . . . while I can’t get enough of you, Ari, I didn’t bring you here to ravage you. I’d hoped we could talk, sit, and be together.”
“I’d like that,” she draped her arms casually over my shoulders, “but it’s okay to sprinkle in some kisses here and there because why deny the inevitable.”
“What am I going to do with you?” I grinned, lowering my hands on her back to explore her curves.
“Guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.” She drummed her fingers down my chest before helping me get the stuff out of the back of my truck.
“I’m intrigued about what’s in this basket. Did your mom help?”
“Really?” I side-eyed her, sounding insulted.
“I mean, it’s not that far-fetched to wonder. Your mom’s cooking is in a class of its own.”
“While there’s no denying that, you know from the firehouse I can cook. Don’t think I haven’t caught a moan cross your lips a few times.”
“In your dreams, mister.” She hit my chest in jest.
“Yes, exactly. How did you know?”
That wasn’t even the half of it.
“Lucky guess,” she surmised.
“Now, inquiring minds want to know. Have you ever dreamed of me?”
Please say yes.
“Did you pack any cookies in here?” She leaned forward and tried to sneak a peek in the picnic basket.
“Nice deflection,” I laughed, giving her a free pass, “but yes, of course.” I shifted my weight next to her, pulled out the charcuterie board from the basket, and started unwrapping everything I’d prepared.
“Wow, look at you!”
“It’s my first attempt at something like this, so try not to judge me too harshly.”
“Are you kidding me? Even your placement of each food group . . . I’m super impressed.”
“I’m happy you approve; I even surprised myself with the meat-shaped flowers!”
“Seriously, Jameson, it’s perfect.”
“You’re perfect.”
“Ah, far from it, I’d say.”
“No, we’re perfect for each other.” I tilted my head and stole a quick kiss, not allowing her a chance for rebuttal. “I also brought some sauvignon blanc; would you like a glass?”
“Yes, please! You really thought of everything, didn’t you?” Her smile lit up her whole face in delight.
“I had a vision and wanted everything to be perfect.” She deserved the world, and I wanted to prove I was the man to give it to her.
“Does it feel a bit weird to you that after butting heads for so long, being together like this now feels effortless?”
“I believe when two people are meant to be, it’s just a matter of timing. It wasn’t our time before.”
“You’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of guy, haven’t you?”
“Not always. I’ve had my moments from time to time, that’s for sure. Being a firefighter has hardened me over time, and I’d rather focus on the good things in life.”
She dipped her chin and stared down at the blanket. I knew she understood the unspoken truths beyond both our professions. Our line of work was unpredictable. Some days were both physically and emotionally draining, while others were equally rewarding, knowing we had saved a life.
“Let’s make a toast.” I handed her the stemless wine glass. “To new beginnings and trusting the journey in life.”
“To new beginnings and trusting the journey,” she repeated.
Clink.
I tipped my head back, took a sip of the wine, and watched her do the same before I plucked some grapes off the stem.
“Grape?” I offered.
“Yes, please.” She leaned forward and opened her mouth, capturing it between her teeth.
Why is her eating so dammed sexy?
“Tell me something I don’t know about you?” I caught her off guard by asking.
“Something you don’t know, hmm.” She pondered for a minute. “I’m obsessed with watching panda videos on TikTok.”
“Seriously?”
“If I could have a pet panda, I totally would.”
“Don’t they just lounge around all day, eating, pooping and napping without a worry in the world?”
“Yes, but it’s their personalities that make me smile.”
“So that’s all it takes?” I tilted my head with a smirk.
“The videos I watch literally have me laughing out loud. They have the quirkiest personalities; they flop around, fall off swings, perform somersaults in circles or down hills, and splash around in the water like a little child would. It’s like they’re just bored and willing to do anything to keep themselves entertained.”
“Have you ever seen one in real life?”
“No, I hope to one day.”
“Do you have a bucket list of places you’d like to travel to?” I asked.
“Honestly, there are so many. Although, I’m not sure how I feel about flying.”
“You’ve never been on a plane?” I was surprised.
“No, you?”
“I’ve flown with my dad a few times for work and school, just never for vacation.”
“What was the fire academy like?”
“Brutal!” I replied without question.
“Tell me a story.”
Wanting her close, I reached over and, with my hands on her hips, moved her to sit between my legs, her back to my chest, and wrapped my arms around her middle.
“I had barely been in the fire academy for two weeks when I questioned if following in my dad’s footsteps was the right choice for me. The term ‘miserable’ doesn’t even begin to describe how unhappy I felt. It didn’t help that the main instructor made it his mission to single me out whenever the opportunity presented itself. I wasn’t stupid; I grew up around the firehouse, heard the stories, and witnessed how the probies were treated, so I was prepared. My dad always taught me and my brothers that when you fall down seven times, you get back up eight. Failure wasn’t an option; it wasn’t in my blood. But man, that instructor pushed my limits and patiently waited in the wings for me to crack under the pressure.”
Reflecting on my time at the academy took me back to a period of mental struggle. However, the soft circles that Ari’s fingertips traced on my arm filled me with waves of warmth and comfort, bringing forth a profound sense of peace within me.
“There was a training exercise where we had to rescue a dummy and carry it to safety through a maze in a building. Except when it was my turn, the victim wasn’t a dummy; it was the instructor, the same one who was hell-bent on seeing me fail. While the other trainees fumbled the ball, so to speak, on how to complete the task, I threw myself on the floor beside him, hooked a leg between his, snagged an arm, rolled us into a piggyback position, and jumped to my feet. Once I had him outside, I was cocky and wanted to shout, ‘F yeah, take that.’ I felt like I’d proved my worth, then I turned around and got all tangled up in a rope and pulley system, and suddenly, I was upside down and needing a rescue of my own.”
“Oh my God.” She gasped in a fit of hilarity.
“And everyone simply stood there laughing under their breath. No one, not even the instructor, moved to help. So I thought, ‘fuck it,’ got myself upright, untangled my foot from the rope, and propelled down. Teamwork is a major part of firefighting, but being resourceful and adept at problem-solving are equally important. While that day was not only humbling, it served as confirmation that I was built for this job, and I wasn’t going to let the attitudes of others derail my focus.”
“I can picture that, you’ve never taken shit from anyone.”
“Present company excluded, right?”
“Of course,” she quipped, angling her head back to find my teasing gaze. “In response to your earlier question”—my brows furrowed—“yes, I’ve dreamed about you, and the real deal is much better.
“Oh, yeah?” I wanted to puff my chest out in triumph.
“Yeah,” she murmured as her eyes dropped to my mouth.
I cradled the side of her head, threading my fingers through her silky red hair, and teasingly brushed my lips across hers. “I’ll give you the world, Ari, if you’ll let me.”
“I just might, Jameson . . . I just might.”